Gun Buying on Calguns

[caliberetta]

I was legitimately looking to purchase 1 of 2 handguns here on calguns that I know are in the $1000+ range. On multiple occasions I have messaged sellers only to receive no reply back and yet they keep bumping a gun. I understand that they may be leary of scammers and people with no feedback. I have already bought and sold a few things here and at least I have some feedback.

First guy had a bad picture of his gun and I asked first if it was still available and if he could send me some better pictures of his gun via text. No response and keeps bumping his gun.

The second I asked if it was still available and also asked if he ever comes near my area. No response and keeps bumping his gun.

Either one could have replied with a simple message, but yet nothing.

Both according to their profiles are long time calguners, but both have lost a sale because they cant be bothered to send a reply. Had either one even attemped a reply a deal could have possibly been done. One of guns I wanted, I ended up buying off site and ended up paying exactly what was being asked here on the site.

Not sure if this is the right place to vent this, but really had either one engaged in messaging with me they would have sold what they are selling for exactly what they wanted.

It definitely is frustrating if there is something you have been looking for, it's offered for sale and the seller is not responding. In that case you have already gotten the best advise above.

When a seller is not responding to his ad, that is a negative reflection on him, right off the bat - be grateful you got a sample right in the beginning - gives you a chance to move on.

There are also other reasons sometimes when a member can't answer back due to being busy, or many inquiries (he may have intended to respond, but somehow got distracted), etc.

For the most part calguns marketplace is a good, liquid and vibrant market, especially if you are dealing with people that have a good iTrader rating.

Good luck.

[billped]

Some folks use the "must have X posts or more logic", but that is a false metric. Any idiot can post a few times ... and many do.

Do I want to sell to folks with 1000 posts? Of course, but that would radically limit the buying pool and ultimately sales would take longer and be at a lower price.

[Barang]

some good, some bad sellers/buyers. don't waste your time on those kind of people. they maybe doing you a favor of avoiding future headaches.

[Erion929]

Don't take it personally. For the most part, you're dealing with a bunch of grumpy old guys (myself included).

Nothing more to say. If a seller won’t respond to questions, I won’t deal with them.

It’s kinda like that.....some guys just can’t be bothered to write a detailed ad, take good pics, or answer PMs promptly. Try twice and, if no response, move on. Also, if you ask simpleton questions, it might get you nowhere.....like “Hi, is it available?“ , when you could’ve written “Hi, if the gun is still available, I’ll take it. I am free on Monday or Weds after 2pm, and Saturday all day to PPT.”

A good way to get a response is show your sincere intent by providing as much info as you can about your location and days/times available to PPT. NOTHING MORE ANNOYING than asking/providing a single silly question or answer each time and have to PM/text a million times to set something up . Give detailed availability all at once.

Also, when you’re on the hunt, be alert and available to answer PMs. Do not leave guys hanging all day or night, waiting for you to answer.


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[naimad]

The marketplace has turned in to a s**t show

[tabascoz28]

It's the craigslist of guns dude. The more you pester them the more desperate you look. Take it or leave it gets the best price.

[Donnovin]

Hang in there. As a seller I respond to everyone as a basic courtesy. As a buyer, I too have experienced a lack of response from sellers. I put them in the category of a store that posts hours ‘Open’ but never bothers to unlock the door or staff the counter or answer the phone...move on to a real store. If the first encounter is that bad, just imagine what the rest of the deal is going to be like.

One thing I have noticed lately is potential buyers who ask ‘Will you take $xx.xx for the item?” I respond ‘Yes’ then never hear from them again. It isn’t really an offer such as “If you will accept $xx.xx, I’ll take it”. It’s more a situation where they are pinging potential price, then ghosting. In any case, I’m not sure what to think of them, other than ‘Tire Kicker’.

[five.five-six]

The marketplace has turned in to a s**t show

How so?

Do expound, good Sir.

[cheesyhybrid]

What are you buying? Ive sold a lot of guns at really fair/good deal prices because I like to give people a good deal. So I just ignore requests for many pictures or nonsense questions and do a deal with someone that understands they are getting a good deal and appreciates it.

[IVC]

Weird stuff happens when dealing with random people. However, courtesy and manners are what we learned at home as kids and there is no reason to change just because the other person has none.

If you don’t hear back, just move on. Not worth it. If they don’t respect your time to answer a simple message, they won’t respect your time when it comes to the deal.

[jsclimbs]

[jorgi23]

If staying local is your best bet, and agree less is more! do your homework, see what the guns are selling for and don't buy on roster guns, just buy off the internet. I feel also like most sellers they are very honest people, so they give buyers a bit more time to make their decision, kind of a 2 day commitment, and they don't want to waste other people time.

[SkyHawk]

After a few back and forth messages he went dark, after I asked for $50 off his asking price.
In his post, the price was not listed as “firm “....I was ready to buy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sounds like you got the answer and there was nothing further to discuss. Next time make the price the first topic if it is an issue, not the topic after some amount of back and forth and exchange of phone numbers, exchange of pics etc. Saves everyone a lot of time. Once you get that far I figure you have decided long ago that the price is right, maybe now I've already waved off a few other buyers, and I'm not going to be real happy about having to reset to consider a different offer from you.

If you are looking for a different price it should be the very first thing I hear, something like "I know you're asking $Y but I'd be a buyer at $X"

Sellers get a lot of PMs from tire kickers, hagglers, traders, people who want them to travel, "let me sleep on it" guys, guys who have to "ask the wife", "can I shoot it first", "will you hold it for a month" etc. The guy who makes it easiest and surest for the seller usually wins, every time. And right now it is a seller's market.

[Schlamoo]

[22Fan399]

What are you buying? Ive sold a lot of guns at really fair/good deal prices because I like to give people a good deal. So I just ignore requests for many pictures or nonsense questions and do a deal with someone that understands they are getting a good deal and appreciates it.

There are definitely some deals to be had here. I have already dealt with and talked with a number of good guys on here. Hopefully you end up selling something I am looking for in the future. Also when I asked for photos it was because the one and only photo was insanely poor quality.